Eclipse House

Term Two has flown by and it seems amazing that we are already nearing the end of term. This has been a term of adjustment for all, as we figured out the 'new normal' in the wake of isolation.

The Eclipse House boys have been patient, understanding and responsible regarding the added restrictions and regulations we have all had to comply within boarding in a Covid-19 world.

The term has seen a lot of positive introductions including a new way of ordering and receiving lunches that has been welcomed by all, the return of AFL to our screens, and several great recreational activities.

We have also become the envy of every other House by going to McDonalds after prep, once every two to three weeks. This is a simple way to break routine and get off campus for a little while, bonding the House together in a fun evening activity.

Eclipse Entry

In the week leading up to boarding reopening, Mr Sam Tomlinson, Mr Dihan Pienaar, Miss Mikayla de Nobrega, Miss Lea von Graberg, Miss Hazel Rice and I worked under the direction of Mr Andrew Blake, Facilities Manager, to pull out and completely redo the Eclipse House entrance gardens. We removed all plants and the builders’ sand, replacing it with soil, mixing compost through it. We then brought in some feature rocks, shaped raised beds using Corten steel, planted new plants and spread mulch around the garden. It was a week of hard work and great rewards. The satisfaction and pride we all feel as we walk down the entrance path was worth the effort.

Gap Assistant News

At the end of last term, Mr Dihan Pienaar arrived from South Africa. Unfortunately, by the time he completed his two weeks of isolation, the boarding houses had closed. This term, he has proven to be a great asset to the House. He is keen to learn, loves hanging out with the Eclipse House boarders and is always happy to go the extra mile to help. Dihan is training and playing with one of the local hockey teams this season and has built a great rapport with the senior boys.

Exams

The Year Ten students and the ATAR Year Eleven and Twelve students all survived exams over the past few weeks. The older students were able to stay in the boarding house between exams and were very productive during this time, managing to get into routines of study, eating and socialising. They continued this pattern into the evenings, spending most of their time studying, coming out only for short breaks to eat and play a quick game of table tennis, before getting back into their studies. All boarders were very impressive showing great dedication during their exam time.

Academic Support

We invited our dedicated tutors back into the boarding house to assist with any questions and offer any support needed, just in time for exams. Mr Josh Carson has been in very high demand, coming every Tuesday and Thursday night, helping students with Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry queries they may have. Josh Pearce and Angus Egerton-Warburton have been known to work out in the dining area, so they are ready as soon as he walks through the front door. William Penny and Daniel Cosh have also utilised Mr Carson a fair amount.

Fire Pit

Now that the fire ban has lifted, Mrs Greta Rice and I decided to come in on our night off to cook dinner, light the fire pit and socialise with the boys. Sitting around the fire, enjoying dinner, soft drinks, chocolates and marshmallows has become a fortnightly, Friday night tradition.

In the first week, the kitchen sent trays of steak, sausages, onions, buns and salad. While I was cooking the meat on the barbecue outside, most of the boys sat around the fire pit drinking soft drink, listening to music and chatting. 

As the night went on, we noticed the Breaksea girls watching, so the next fortnight we invited them to join us for the evening. Most of the boys hid inside when the girls joined us, but we enjoyed eating the burgers and chips the kitchen had prepared and some of the girls went inside to challenge the boys to table tennis. It was a fun, social evening, enjoyed by all who participated and is an event now looked forward to by staff and students alike.

The Return of AFL

Everyone was very excited for AFL to start again, and to watch the first game. To celebrate, we ordered Dominos pizzas and garlic bread. Jacob Featherstone and Mitchell Dolan came with me to pick them up in the bus, while Dihan Pienaar stayed at Eclipse House to organise the rest of the boys. The kitchen provided us with plenty of popcorn to cook up while watching. This was a great way to get us out of the normal routine and enjoy a more casual Thursday night in the House.

Hazel's Birthday

My daughter, Hazel, turned two last weekend. The day was spectacular, sunny and warm. Greta and I hosted a party for her and hired a bouncy castle, which was greatly enjoyed. I brought a tray of party food into the house for the boys to enjoy, and it was quickly devoured. We also made sure there was an opportunity for them to have some time on the bouncy castle before it was picked up, which they jumped at (pun intended) and had an awesome time.

Three-on-Three Basketball

A few weeks ago, Mr Brendan Goggins organised a three versus three boarding basketball competition. Teams of three or four were made up, the teams of four playing with a sub. Three of the teams were made up of Eclipse House boys, with one team from Endeavour House, two from Anchorage House and a staff team. Every Eclipse House boy who was in that weekend joined a team and played really well. The team consisting of Sean Keightley, Rhori Williams-Jolley and Toby Brown were the overall victors when they beat the staff team, consisting of Mr Goggins, Mr Pienaar, Mr Tomlinson and myself in the grand final. It was a very active afternoon, with all boys enjoying themselves and giving good feedback from the event.

Surfing Trip

I organised a trip to Denmark's Ocean Beach last term for surfing lesson's. Unfortunately, it was organised for the weekend after boarding closed. I was very happy to be able to offer this experience last weekend, with five Eclipse House boys; Josh Pearce, Jacob Featherstone, Mitchell Dolan, Thomas Dolan and Alexander Norrish, signing up to what was an awesome day.

Mr Mike Neunuebel, the surfing instructor, gave us a very thorough introduction to surfing, including how to read the ocean, and safety tips while surfing. We then spent over two hours in the water, with Mike giving us moral support and tips to improve. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm with only a small wave, perfect for learning or getting back into the sport.

After surfing, we went to the local bakery for hot food before returning to GSG. We were all feeling tired but keen to do it again when the weather starts improving towards the end of next term, or in Term Four.

The Year Ahead

With Semester One behind us, it is time to start planning for the semester ahead. I plan to start Term Three in a similar fashion to how we ended this term: lighting the fire pit every fortnight; getting to the beach on the weekend if the weather permits; breaking routine once in a while by getting take-out and watching the footy or a movie; encouraging students to be making the most of tutors who come in during the week; and always looking for more ways to support students mentally, physically, emotionally and educationally.

As always, please feel free to call or email me to discuss your son or any upcoming events, on 0448 125 919 or via brenton.rice@gsg.wa.edu.au

Mr Brenton Rice | Head of Eclipse House

Hello, Dihan

I’m a Gap Assistant from Rustenburg in the North-West Province of South Africa who doesn’t speak a lot of English, so I was quite stressed when I first arrived here, especially because I went straight into two weeks of lockdown (which was not that bad because the school helped me out). Since I have been here, every day has been amazing. I have a very good bond with the boys in my House, mostly because we socialise by playing Xbox and table tennis.

I have joined a hockey club in town and I am looking forward to playing with them next term. I think the rest of the year will be wonderful and I hope to learn more about the people and explore more of this beautiful country.

Mr Dihan Pienaar | Gap Assistant